U.S. Rep. Larson and Rep. Ritter Join Willow Creek Phase IV Groundbreaking

U.S. Rep. John Larson, Connecticut State Rep. Matthew Ritter, and dozens of elected officials, project leaders and community members celebrated the groundbreaking of the fourth phase of the Willow Creek redevelopment effort in Hartford. The event, which was hosted by the City of Hartford along with project developers JHM Group and The Richman Group, was held at the site which brings another $33 million investment to the city. Willow Creek is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.

This is the fourth phase of a long-term neighborhood revitalization strategy, building momentum for future redevelopment and community investment in Hartford’s Blue Hills community. It will add 56 new affordable and mixed-income apartment homes to Willow Creek, which will be made available for households earning between 25 percent and 80 percent of the area’s median income.

Like all of Willow Creek, Phase IV helps create a healthier living environment through advanced indoor air quality standards, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable building practices. It includes many elements that advance Connecticut's climate and energy goals including rooftop solar panels and geothermal heating, cooling, and hot water. Its proximity to local schools, parks, public transportation, and employment centers also supports smart, sustainable growth.

This investment helps alleviate the housing crisis for working families, seniors, and residents of modest means and expands access to safe, high-quality, affordable housing in one of Connecticut's highest-demand markets. It also strengthens the Blue Hills neighborhood by replacing vacant and deteriorated structures with attractive new housing designed to complement the character and history of the surrounding community.

“Each time we begin a phase in Willow Creek, we are enhancing the entire community,” Todd D. McClutchy, president of JHM Group. “We also are proving once again that public-private partnerships can be structured for success. Willow Creek truly is a model for bringing together the Housing Authority of the City of Hartford, the State of Connecticut, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Department of Economic and Community Development, local leaders, private developers, and financing partners to achieve a shared vision. Once complete, this will be another great housing solution for Hartford and for Connecticut.”

Rep. John Larson agreed. “I think what underscores this whole groundbreaking is the ability to work together, the collaboration that's necessary in order to have a project that's successful,” he said. “And you know what? Everybody benefits from this the local economy, the families that we're seeking to help, the communities that we want to enrich.”

“This is about investing in people and in neighborhoods,” Rep. Matt Ritter said. “Looking around today, you see a community that anyone would be proud to have in their backyard –in Hartford, Old Saybrook or anywhere else in our state. High-quality housing strengthens communities and creates opportunities for families to thrive.”

"This is more than a groundbreaking, it's the culmination of a true community effort," said Annette Sanderson, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Hartford. “Together, our partners have helped us transform this property into the kind of residential space our residents and community deserve, fulfilling the Authority's mission to provide safe, accessible, and affordable, high-quality housing and homeownership choices in Hartford. These new homes don't just benefit the families who live in them as this transformation will have a positive impact on the Blue Hills neighborhood for generations to come."

Additional speakers included, Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Dept. of Housing commissioner, Nandini Natarajan, CEO, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), Deputy Commissioner Matt Pugliese, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Erin Galligan, senior vice president, Bank of America, Jonathan Cabral, director of housing, City of Hartford, and local residents.

With headquarters in Stamford, Conn., the JHM Group is a fully integrated firm involved in all aspects of the real estate and renewable energy industries including finance, development, construction, and asset and property management. For more than 40 years, JHM has ensured success in these areas by developing expertise in real estate and energy laws, rules and regulations, zoning, market analysis, construction, engineering, management, operations and finance.